Adjustable crutch.



L. J. PINKLB @L o. A. SHERMAN.

ADJUSTABLE GRUTGH.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 12, 191s.

Patented July 29, 1913.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0..WASHINGTDN. D. c.

maman STATES PATENT onirica LEONARD J'. FINKLE AND CLEVELAND A. SHERMAN, OF ALAMOSA, COLORADO.

ADJUSTABLE CRUTCH.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, LEONARD J. FINxLE and CLEVELAND A. SHERMAN, citizens of the United States, residents of Alamosa, in the county of Conejos and State of Colorado, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Adjustable Crutches; and we declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skille'd Vin the art to which it appertains to make and use the invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a side view of our crutch invention. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional fragmentary view on the line 3 3, Fig. 5. Fig. 4E is a similar view showing the spring catches' as moved outward by engagement with the beveled walls of the stick. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5, Fig. 3.

The invention has relation to crutches, and it consists in the novel construction and combinations of parts, as hereinafter set forth.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable crutch, and in the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention,V the numeral 2, indicates wooden branches of the support, the upper ends of which are secured to the arm pit rest 3.

r1`he lower ends of the branches 2, are separated by an interval at 4, and this interval is bridged on each side by connecting plates 5, secured to said ends. Or a metal band having parallel sides as indicated at 6, may be used. In this way is formed a vertical bearing, through which extends the adjustable stick?, the lower end of which may be provided with a ferrule. This stick is designed to t neatly between the walls of the metal bearing, and is provided with shoulders or notches 8 in its lateral edges, these notches being in series about one inch apart, and designed to engage spring catches 9, secured to the lower ends of the crutch branches.

In the construction shown, the Shanks 10, of the springs are secured to the outside of Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led May 12, 1913.

Serial No. 767,172.

the branches at their lower ends, and have offset ends or catch portions 11, engaging the terminal faces l2, of said ends, and extending toward each other sufficiently to engage the notches in the edges of the stick 7. The notches have lower shoulders 14:, of more or less abrupt character, while their upper walls are beveled as indicated at l5, it being designed that the stick shall be capable of downward adjustment, but rigidly held against upward movement between the branches. This holding is effected by the offset or catch ends of the springs 9, which are firmly supported in their action by the abutting faces of the ends of the branches 2.

Should the crutch be too long, the stick 7, is pulled downward and out from its bearing between the branches, inserted from above and pushed down to the proper position for the lengt-h of crutch required.

The hand grasp 17, is adjustable and removable. For its adjustment a series of recesses or seats 18, is provided in each branch 2, to receive the ends of the hand grasp, which is fastened in place by means of screws.

We claim:

1. An adjustable crutch, comprising an upper branched portion, a bearing connecting the lower ends of said branches, an extension stick vertically adjustable within said bearing and provided with a series of shoulders, and spring means having adjustable engagement with said shoulders to retain the stick in position as adjusted.

2. An adjustable crutch, consisting of an arm rest, branches extending downward therefrom` a metallic bearing connecting the lower ends of said branches, an extension stick engaging said bearing and having at each side a series of notches, and opposite spring catches having angularly bent lower ends engaging said notches to hold the stick in position as adjusted.

In testimony whereof we aiiix our signatures, in presence of two witnesses.

LEONARD J. FINKLE. CLEVELAND A. SHERMAN. Witnesses:

D. D. WILLIAMS, GEO. P. FULLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

A' Washington, D. C.

Patented July 29, 1913. 

